Most of the time conflict is usual when you work in a group because everyone has different ideas for same products under same circumstances. These different viewpoints lead to conflict. However, not all the conflicts are troublesome there are some conflicts which are beneficial for the team. Healthy and positive conflicts are a part of good functioning teams. On the other hand, some of these differences can result team’s termination.
The main point is how to deal with conflicts usefully and with a preparation, if not, it can be easily become big argument and can form large chaos but we can’t avoid the conflicts in teams they always occur so we need to learn to deal with them.
Preventing Conflict
Teams have to build up ways of avoiding conflict from becoming harmful. The Team members can get these skills and behaviour with experience and from team leader.
There are some of the main points which can help to overcome conflicts
- Teams must deal with conflict immediately and never ignore it even it’s not large. If team members have concerns express those issues immediately and not let them to get worsen. All the group members have to communicate clearly and must be active listeners. They must clarify any issue asking questions about the issue (Mulqueen, 2012).
- Never let the conflict gets personal always focus on the facts and issues, not to the behaviours. Furthermore, team members don’ have to look to blame other team but everyone need to take responsibility of the problem and solution. Different ideas need to be encouraged and always appreciate honestly the hard work of team members (Mulqueen, 2012).
- Always respect emotions, suggestions and avoid comments that includes "You never," or "You always". Make comments only about the current situation not for the past. If the situation is becoming complex have a break and control your emotions before continuing the discussion. Keep the group issues within the group because discussion with outsider can make conflict more complex (Mulqueen, 2012).
If the group is still struggling to the reach agreement, some other techniques can be used such negotiation and voting to solve the conflict so that all the team members are glad to go ahead.
After the conflict is resolved get time to rejoice and recognize the assistance of everyone to make a solution possible. With this celebration group can become more cohesive and confident in their conflict resolving skills and can minimize further conflicts (Resolving Team Conflict).
References
Mulqueen, C. (2012, September 11). Two Ways to Avoid Conflict. Talent Management. Retrieved from http://http://talentmgt.com/articles/view/two-ways-to-avoid-conflict
Resolving Team Conflict - Team Management Training from MindTools.coms. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_79.htm
